Cairo to Cape Town (17 weeks) Nile Trans

Join the ultimate 17 week Africa adventure from Egypt to South Africa, taking in Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.

The words 'Cairo to Cape Town' conjure up images of African expeditions from days of old. Even today there are a multitude of challenges that this vast continent can throw at you. Desert, river, & mountain crossings are inter-twined with stunning National Parks & some of the best adrenaline fuelled activities & playgrounds in the world. This is a trip that will linger in your memory long after completion.

 

Itinerary

Days 1 to 6

Egypt

• Cairo - Day tour to the Pyramids + Sphinx at Giza and the Egyptian Museum (accompanied by an Egyptologist guide)
• Red Sea Coast - relax on the beach for a couple of days or try your hand at various watersports such as snorkelling, windsurfing or scuba diving in the cool clear blue waters of the Red Sea.
• Luxor - take a day tour to the Valley of Kings & Workers, also visit Karnak & Luxor Temples

Days 7 to 13

• 2 day traditional felucca sailboat cruise to Edfu & Kom Ombo.
• Aswan - stroll along the corniche, visit the temple at Philae or Elephantine Island.
• Abu Simbel - visit the great stone monuments of Ramses II.
• Ferry across Lake Nasser to Wadi Halfa

Days 14 to 19

Sudan

• Follow piste tracks through the Nubian Desert or the desert road that hugs the River Nile.
• Pyramids at Meroe
• Khartoum, the capital.
• Visit Hamed al Nil Tomb - experience the largest market in Sudan: Omdurman Souq, as well as visit the daily camel market or take a boat trip on the Nile.

Days 20 to 42

Ethiopia

• Gondar - organise a trip to the Simeon Mountains or the holy city of Axum.
• Bahir Dar - take a boat out onto Lake Tana with monasteries dating back 900 years.
• Visit the 12th century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
• Blue Nile Gorge.
• Addis Ababa, the capital.
• Omo Valley.

Days 43 to 61

Kenya

• East Africa Rift Valley.

Uganda / Rwanda

• Kampala - Uganda's capital, take a city tour or visit a Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria.
• Mountain Gorilla trek - Trek to see these amazing creatures, the closest species related to man.
• Kigali Genocide Memorial.
• Jinja - the source of the Nile, whitewater rafting, quad biking or visit a  local education project. 

Kenya            

• Lake Nakuru National Park - games drives to spot lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino & flamingo.
• Visit either Crater Lake Game Sanctuary or Hells Gate National Park (walk through or hire mountain bikes - the only park in Kenya where this is permitted). 
• Elsamere - visit the home of Joy Adamson & Elsa the lion, of Born Free fame.
• Nairobi

Days 62 to 63

• Free time in Nairobi, visit Langata Giraffe Centre, Nairobi National park, or an Elephant orphanage.

Days 64 to 76

Tanzania, Arusha.

• Ngorongoro Crater & Manyara National Park - jeep wildlife safari. 
• Serengeti National Park - continue on after Ngorongoro to see cheetah, leopard, lion, wildebeest, giraffe, elephant, hippos & zebra. 
• Maasai Village Tour - back at camp in Arusha.
• Marangu - Foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro - you have the opportunity to hike up to Base camp, or walk through the pleasant surroundings visiting waterfalls and rivers in the area.
• Zanzibar Island - Stone Town & spice tour, swim with dolphins, snorkel, scuba dive & serious beach time!
• Mikumi National Park - spot giraffe, zebra, elephant, buffalo from the roadside.

Days 77 to 93

Malawi 

• Lake Malawi - windsurf, scuba dive along with other water sports, horse riding, school visits, village meals & craft markets.
• Lilongwe (the capital).

Mozambique - travel the Tete corridor.

Zimbabwe

• Eastern Highlands - Chimanimani National Park or Vumba Gardens - hike through this vast mountain wilderness area bordering Mozambique or visit bridal veil falls, enjoy the surrounding scenery from this sleepy village.
• Antelope Park - a privately run game ranch - game viewing on horseback & walk with lion cubs!
• Great Zimbabwe Ruins
• Bulawayo, Matobo National Park - game walks to spot Black Rhino & many other game.
• Cecil Rhodes' grave & Ancient Rock Paintings
• Victoria Falls - view these spectacular falls from Zimbabwe or Zambia, and try your hand at grade 5 whitewater rafting, and kayaking trips. Something for all - Flight of Angels (microlite or helicopter), sunset cruises, gorge swing, abseil, bungy jump, jet boating and more! - Adrenaline Heaven.

Days 94 to 107

Botswana

• Chobe National Park - river game cruise.
• Okavango Delta - 2 night mokoro canoe trip on the delta to spot elephant, crocodile, hippo, buffalo, zebra plus more.

Namibia

• Etosha National Park - game drive by day & relax at floodlit water holes by night to spot rhino, elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard amongst a horde of other wildlife.
• Cheetah park - an up close & personal experience with these amazing cats.
• Brandberg Mountains in Demaraland.

Days 108 to 119

• Cape Cross Seal colony
• Spitzkoppe rock formations.
• Swakopmund - deep sea fishing, quad biking, dune sledding, tandem sky diving, horse riding, desert flights and more!
• Namib-Naukluft Park & Sossusvlei - the world's highest sand dunes.
• Fish River Canyon - Africa's Grand Canyon.

South Africa

• Cape Agulhas - Africa's most southerly point.
• Cape Town - take a trip out to Robben Island, dive with sharks or take a cable car up or abseil down Table Mountain, experience the great night life plus much much more!!